Here is the text she sent me about it. Reading it made me smile so I asked her if I could share it here. She wrote:
I just got back from visiting Gage’s class for the first time. He’s been doing Show and Tell with his students every Thursday so he asked me to be his Show and Tell person today as a surprise for his 9th grade kids. He talks about me a lot to his two classes and they’ve been curious about me.
As soon as I said, “I’m Mrs. Long,” there was a huge cheer for about thirty seconds and then another one when he kissed my cheek. Haha!
They asked me lots of questions and were very energetic and sweet. I got to join in on “family time” which is when they sit in a circle on the floor at the end of every class to get to know each other, do icebreaker questions, and pray for each other’s needs. Everyone gets a chance to talk with a “microphone” prop to prevent kids from talking over each other. Gage is very considerate of the quiet kids.
Here are photos of Mrs Long’s husband’s classrooms.
I did something I hadn’t done in quite a while which was to go on a meandering drive. (Also known as peregrinating, a word I just learned.)
I happened upon a path through the woods and decided to switch my road-peregrinating to path-peregrinating . It was a marvelous change of pace. So much of life is artificially produced–houses, cars, buildings, clothes, freeways, etc. And trust me. I have nothing against that. Houses are a wonderful thing!
But to take twenty steps down a path and suddenly be surrounded by nothing man-made was surprisingly restorative.
I have not spent enough of my life appreciating the outdoors. Steve and I were talking recently that we need to breathe more real air, take more hikes, and more frequently leave behind synthetic beauty for the grandeur of creation.
I hope the peace of these photos follows you throughout your day.
What about you?
Have you ever been someone’s Show and Tell?
Are you a nature person or an indoor person?
Do you enjoy camping? Or glamping?What’s your favorite part about being outdoors?
Love Sarah being Gage’s “show and tell”. When I worked with pregnant and parenting teens, at first I was reluctant to share about my family as I didn’t want to rub it in, so to speak, about my three pretty together kids and my husband. Fortunately, a wise older teacher told me that if my students didn’t get a chance to hear about successful families, then how were they going to know what one looked like. I took that to heart and was glad to share about my family, who did come visit my classroom.
I must admit I could not teach in a classroom with no windows, so hoping there are windows in Gage’s room that just don’t show in the photos.
My first camping experience was as a young wife and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and I loved it. Our family took many camping trips. We had hoped that at least one of our kids would follow in that tradition, but only our son loves to camp, but his wife does not.
Glad you were able to get out and peringrinate!
Liz,
What wise advice from the older teacher. (Although I can certainly understand your initial reluctance to share about your wonderful family.) Your story gave those students something to shoot for as they became adults and chose spouses. They no doubt remembered you and your family for a long, long time. And how fun that your family came to visit your classroom!
I know your camping trips with your young children created so many lovely memories. So glad you took the time and effort to do that.
We are definitely outdoor people!! We will be outside any chance we get. We love it! Yard work, play time, golf, you name it, we love it. We just moved to a new home and the deck on our house faces west and the view is absolutely spectacular! Rolling hills, farm land and the most gorgeous sunsets. However, the deck is not big enough so we are in the process of rebuilding it and making it bigger. It will most definitely accommodate us and all of our family and friends when we get it done. We can’t wait to sit on it and gaze upon those beautiful sunsets again!
I grew up camping. Like tent and sleeping bag camping and cooking over a fire. And that’s how we raised our kids. We had so many good times! I don’t think I could do it any more though…my back couldn’t take sleeping on the ground. 🙂 I also really enjoy walking and running outdoors, especially in the early mornings. It is just so peaceful at that time of day. It is such a wonderful way to start the day.
LeeAnne,
Sounds like you live in a really lovely place.
And I agree. Sleeping on the ground is not something I’d want to do at my age. A cushion-y mattress is pretty important to my 61-year old back.
And I agree–early mornings are the best. You feel like you have the world all to yourself!
How precioius that Gage has made Sarah a show and tell. She does have quite a story!! Never been one but when I was in high school there was a story telling contest and I entered. Think I did good but was able to go to my granddaughter’s school umpteen years ago and read a story to the class. That was fun! My husband and I walk almost every day. If it is nice out, which this summer had many sunny days, we walk on a trail near the workout place. One trail takes about 35 min. and the other about 40 – 45. We switch off to use both trails and much of it is such as your pictures. Very enjoyable. When the kids were little we did a lot of camping – tent, cooking over a fire, mosquito spray, etc. Now I think of camping in an RV would really be nice (we don’t have one.)
Sharyn,
Yes, it just really brightened my day to read Sarah’s description of being his show and tell and especially, the student’s reaction. I love that he talks about her to his classes.
I love that you and your husband walk so frequently. Good for you! And to get to walk on a trail instead of a busy street is wonderful indeed.
I don’t think I have ever been part of anyone’s show and tell.
I am probably more of an indoor person although I’m sitting on my patio typing this.
There are a lot of nice trails near where I live and I have taken advantage of them in the past.
I am definitely not a camper!
My favorite thing to do outside is sit on patio and read or talk to a friend. The weather is finally not so hot so that I can sit on the patio and read in the evening. I used to bike when I lived in Tampa but it’s pretty flat there. Don’t have that here.
Phyllis,
Glad your weather is finally cooling down and you can enjoy your patio and trails. Fall is such a great season!
I love the Mrs. Long story. What a great idea Gage had to make Sarah his Show & Tell! It was so fun to read about the reaction of the students.They know a great lady when they see one! 🙂❤️
I’ve never heard the word peregrinating but I’m here for it! I agree, being in nature is incredibly restorative. Just as long as the mosquitos and spiders keep their rotten little selves away, we’re good! You took some beautiful pictures as always.
Love, Deb
Deb,
I know. Nature would be quite a bit more enjoyable without some of the creatures that call it home. But since we are intruding on their territory in our peregrinating, we just have to make the best of it.
Glad you enjoyed the Sarah Story. So sweet that the kids were so excited to meet her in person; Gage must have really talked her up!
So fun that Sarah got to be a show and tell. I have not been a show and tell, but as a former preschool/kindergarten teacher I have seen a lot of show and tell. My favorite of all was when a boy walked in with his infant sister who was dressed in pink sleepers and was his “pink” show and tell! He was so proud.
I love being outdoors but also don’t spend enough time outside. I trailer camped for many years and loved looking out and walking trails, but to just sit outside was always too buggy. My husband and I joined a 20 Trail Challenge and are on number 13. It is an easy challenge as it can be any trail, any length, and any time. We started in May and hope to finish before the snow flies. Love your sun and trees photos, my favorite thing to get a pic of. I did a craft show at a nearby church, and when I looked at the map I saw a forest preserve. It was right in the middle of a city, across the street from the church. It became trail number 12 for us and was a delight of trees and quiet amid the city.
My favorite part of the outdoors is discovering something small amid the large. A tiny flower amid huge trees, a butterfly amid a city street…
Enjoy your discoveries as you seek more outdoor time.
Patti,
Oh how sweet for that boy to bring in his baby sister for show and tell. I can only imagine the look of pride and love on his face.
I think it’s great when cities include nature escapes in the middle of all the concrete and chaos. Just to take a few steps into a green area and breathe different air and see nature is so restorative.
Well, I learned a new word today! Peregrinating! I love to peregrinate!
Mike is more hiker than I am – I will begrudgingly join in on “easy” <5 mile hikes, but after I broke my wrist hiking last year, I’m less willing to go. I don’t mind camping as long as there is plumbing associated with a campsite. 🙂 We probably camp 2-3 times per year, using our truck-bed camper + attached tent. We utilize Missouri’s State Parks for our camping adventures – they’re so beautiful!
I love the photos of the path you hiked. Looks so peaceful!
Stefanie,
Oooh. Sorry to hear you broke your wrist. I can understand you being a little more reluctant to hike in light of that.
Yes, State Parks are wonderful resources for inexpensive ways to be in nature. And as you said, if there is plumbing involved, I am all for it.
For sure , there is an immediate soothing that surrounds, when you step into the woods.
(perhaps because all creation is always praising the Lord…)
I have been blessed to be outdoors daily for years and hope to never take it for granted.
I remember a most wonderful thing you told me Bec, I had never thought of, and now love to think about!
God could have let the leaves fall off green, but he has them turn many rich colors first, which is just wonderful for our enjoyment!
That simple idea really blessed me and still does! Thanks!
Ruth
Ruth,
Glad you reminded me of what I had told you; I’d forgotten about it.
And it’s also cool that God makes things (and people) beautiful before they die; just like He did with Mom.
Hmm good question Becky!
I am more a indoor person (i like watching movies/series/documentaries/reading indoors when relaxing) . However I can also enjoy a walk outside in nature or city and if the weather is warm enough I like sitting outside reading. One thing I do not enjoy is eating outside. I do not want bees, mosquito and stressing mr out when reading. So really depends how hot and cold it is .
You see if too cold I get pain in my joints/muscles and same if is too cold
Also this comment writing while sitting outdoors!
Katrina,
Eating outside can definitely be a challenge. It seems like all the bugs and flies from a mile around have radar and know just when you sit down with a sandwich.
I’d have to say I’m more of an indoor person too, but learning to appreciate the outdoors more and more.
And it sounds like we have some of the same favorite indoor activities!